The most likely cause of the deadly outbreak of
Ebola in West Africa was a young boy playing
near a colony of virus-infected bats nestled in a
hollowed-out tree, scientists believe.
The two-year-old boy - described as the index
case, or patient zero - became infected and was
the first to die in his village in Meliandou, Guinea in December last year.
It is thought 'patient zero' was Emile Ouamouno, described as a playful toddler by his
father Etienne.
Before his death, on December 6, 2013, Emile
had been near a tree harbouring the free-tailed
bats.
The toddler came down with a sky-high fever, began vomiting and passing black stools.
It took four days for the disease to claim Emile's life, and he passed away on December 6, 2013.
His sister Philomene fell ill on Christmas Day last year, and was dead before New Year.
Their mother followed, along with their grandmother, Etienne said earlier this year. The disease then spread to other members of the community before spreading to other parts of
Guinea.
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